Supporting rack for sheet materials particularly carpet samples

ABSTRACT

A supporting rack for books or pallets of sheet material, particularly carpet samples or like material. Typically the samples of predetermined size are bound in books or pallets each having a briefcase-type handle. The rack has a plurality of suspension rails or bars at different levels provided with hooks whereby each hook can suspend an individual book by its handle. The hooks of adjacent parallel supporting rails are staggered longitudinally so that books are suspended in overlapping but offset relationship to facilitate removal and rehanging.

United States Patent [191 Grinceri SUPPORTING RACK FOR SHEET MATERIALSPARTICULARLY CARPET SAMPLES [76] Inventor: Anthony Grinceri, 626 W. JSt.,

Ontario, Calif. 91762 [22] Filed: Oct. 1, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 402,150

[52] US. Cl. 211/45 [51] Int. Cl. A47F 7/16 [58] Field of Search 211/23,26, 45, 46, 113-119,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 293,783 2/1884 Ransom 211/23943,877 12/1909 Holland 211/46 959,685 5/1910 Adlam 211/177 1,306,2976/1919 Auerochs 211/182 X 1,706,069 3/1929 Marquardt 21 l/46 2,851,1679/1958 Rosenberg 211/46 [4 1 Sept. 16, 1975 3,568,852 3/1971 Howard211/113 3,630,387 12/1971 Wehner 211/46 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS188,039 12/1936 Switzerland 211/45 12/1939 United Kingdom 211/182Primary ExaminerQ-Richard E. Moore Attorney, Agent, or FirmBonia.rd I.Brown ABSTRACT A supporting rack for books or pallets of sheet material,particularly carpet samples or like material. Typically the samples ofpredetermined size are bound in books or pallets each having abriefcase-type handle. The rack has a plurality of suspension rails orbars at different levels provided with hooks whereby each hook cansuspend an individual book by its handle. The hooks of adjacent parallelsupporting rails are staggered longitudinally so that. books aresuspended in overlapping but offset relationship to facilitate removaland rehanging.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEP 1 61975 27:6. 2 Aimq /0 Era-.1.2% 7 LLLLLLL'ELLLLLL LLLL'TQLJ LLLLLU'J ELLLLLLT ELLLLLLE E SUPPORTINGRACK FOR SHEET MATERIALS PARTICULARLY CARPET SAMPLES SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION The invention is a supporting rack for sheet materials such asmore particularly carpet materials of predeter mined size, although theinvention may be adapted to other types of flat sheet materials. Theexemplary embodiment of the invention as describedin detail herein isparticularly adapted to use with carpet samples. Typically the samplesare bound in the manner of a book, the binding securing the samplestogether along one edge. In typical preferred constructions, the bindingis provided with a single supporting member in the form of abriefcase-type handle.

With respect to the art of racks for supporting sheet materials, thefollowing prior art patents are known: US. Pat. Nos. 1,924,096;2,019,090; 3,094,216; and 3,495,715.

The rack of the herein invention embodies particular uniqueconstructions and features calculated to overcome deficiencies of theprior art and to realize certain particular objectives. The books ofsamples in question are relatively large and fairly heavy with theresult that a particular type of suspension rack and storage means isneeded to facilitate the handling of the books, including removal foruse and replacement. The rack of the invention in a preferred form asdescribed in detail herein provides parallel support bars or rails at aplurality of levels for suspending the books. Each support bar or railis provided with books whereby an individual sample book may besuspended from each hook. The hooks of adjacent parallel rails arestaggered or offset longitudinally whereby adjacent suspended booksoverlap each other in laterally offset position. This relationship isprovided at the parallel levels and the books at one level of coursebeing over those at the lower level. Various of the objectives arerealized by this unique construction and arrangement. The volumeoccupied by the books when suspended is minimized although maximumfacility of removal of an individual book and replacement thereof isprovided for. The construction of the rack is such that a maximum numberof books can be accommodated for its size while still retaining thecapability of ease of removal and replacement. A further object that isrealized is that of a saving in space both from the standpoint of floorarea and volume wise.

The confusion resulting from books of this type being spread out oncounter shelves or floors is eliminated and uniformity and order can bemaintained in ,the storage and maintenance of the books, andparticularly if each individual book is kept in a predetermined positionin the rack.

Further objects and additional advantages of the in vention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred form of rack of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the rack of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a detail view illustrating one of the hooks on a suspensionrail.

Referring now more in detail to the various figures of the drawings,there is shown a preferred exemplary form of the rack. In the form ofthe invention shown,

it is constructed of square steel tubing of appropriate size. Two endframes are provided having a shape as designated generally at 10 in FIG.2. Each end frame comprises a pair of spaced vertical legs 12 and 14.Extending upwardly from these legs are leg portions or inwardlydiverging frame parts 16 and 18. Numeral 22 designates a transverseframe member extending between the upper ends of the vertical leg parts12 and 14. Numeral 24 designates another transverse frame memberextending between the upper ends of the frame parts 16 and 18. Extendingbetween the vertical leg parts 12 and 14 is' a further brace memberhaving angular parts 28 and 30 as shown. Preferably the frame may be ofwelded construction, the different frame parts, that is the joints,being welded. At the other end of the rack there is a similar identicalframe as designated at 32, which is like the frame 10, and thereforeneed not be described in detail. Numeral 33 designates a longitudinalframe or brace member extending between the end frames 10 and 32, two ofsuch longitudinal frame members being provided.

Referring to FIG. 3, numerals 36 and 38 designate a pair of parallelhanger bars or rails made out of the same type of tubing. Numeral 36 issupported from frame 10 over the transverse bar 24 on spacer block'40and the end of the rail 38 is similarly supported over the transversebar 24 by a spacer block 42, these blocks again being joined by beingwelded.

At a lower level below the rails 36 is a second pair ofparallel rails 46and 48 which are secured to the cross bar 22 by being welded to theunderside thereof. 1

Secured underneath the rail 36 are a plurality of hooks, one of which isdesignated at 52. The hook-is made of strap metal secured to theunderside of the rail 36 and the end of the hook being in the form of anupwardly turned flange 53. As shown best in FIG. 4, each hook has anupper shank portion depending from the under side of the rail, and thelower hook portion ex-' tending laterally of the shank portion and thenupwardly toward the 'rail in a plane containing the shank portion andthe rail. A plurality of similar hooks is provided as shown at equallyspaced intervals on the underside of the rail 36. A plurality of similarhooks is provided secured to the rail 38, as shown. The hooks underneaththe rail 36 and underneath the rail 38 are not directly opposite eachother horizontally but are rather staggered in a longitudinal directionalong the rails. For example, the hook 56 underneath the rail 38 is atthe end of the rail and thus is not directly opposite the hook 52 underthe rail 36.

The rail 46 is provided with a similar series of spaced hooks, one ofwhich is designated at 60, and the rail 48 is similarly provided with aseries of hooks. The hooks on these two rails are like those on theupper rails not being directly opposite each other horizontally butrather being staggered in a longitudinal direction along the rails forreasons as will be pointed out.

In addition to the hooks already described, additional hooks areprovided at the ends of the end frames 10 and 32, two of these beingdesignated at 62 and 64, attached to the support blocks 40 and 42.Similar hooks are provided at the other end, one of them beingdesignated as 65 in FIG. 1. Additionally, longer hooks 68 and 70 arepreferably provided which are supported by being welded to the crossbeam22, as shown in FIG. 3, and similar longer hooks are provided at theother end of the rack, one of them being designated at 71 in FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, books of carpet samples are shown as designated at 74and 76, these books having bindings as shown at 75 and 77, edge parts ofthe carpet samples being bound between the bindings. Each book has ahandle as previously described which is like the type of handle normallyprovided on a briefcase. The handle is located midway along the boundedge of the book and has a hand grip extending lengthwise of the edge,as shown.

As may be seen, books may be suspended in the manner illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 from each of the hooks underneath the respective rails 36,38, 46 and 48 with the hand grip of each book resting on the lower hookportion of the respective hook. In the suspended position as describedand as may be seen, the adjacent books 74 and 76 are adjacent each otherand overlapping in an offset position so that an end of each extendsoutwardly and beyond the confines of the rack. The same relationship asbetween books occurs as to books suspended from the lower rails 46 and48. Thus, it can be seen that although the books occupy minimum space byreason of their relationship it is made easy to select and withdraw,that is unhook an individual book, and to replace it in its suspendedposition in the array. Utilization of space is maximized in that theentire volume occupied by the rack is utilized for books although thefacility of withdrawal and removal is retained. The result is furtherrealized of elimination of confusion resulting from large books of thistype being spread about on counter shelves and floors.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will readily understand theconstruction and utilization of the invention and the manner in which itachieves and realizes all of the objectives as set forth in the forego-The foregoing is representative of a preferred form of the invention andis to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense,the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claimsappendedhereto.

The inventor claims:

1. A supporting rack for supporting groups of samples of sheet materialsassembled in books, each book having a supporting handle midway alongits bound edge including a hand grip extending lengthwise of said edge,comprising in combination, a supporting frame structure having a pair ofparallel support rails at the same level in the rack, a series ofuniformly spaced supporting hooks carried by each of the said rails forsupporting said books by their handles, each hook having an upper shankportion depending from the under side of the respective rail and a lowerhook portion extending laterally of said shank portion and lengthwise ofthe respective rail and then upwardly toward the respective rail in aplane containing said shank portion and the respective rail, wherebyeach book handle is engageable with and disengageable from a book bymovement of the handle longitudinally of the respective rail, the hooksof each rail being staggered longitudinally of said rails with respectto hooks of the other rail, whereby sample books supported by the hookson one rail are offset both lengthwise and laterally of said railsrelative to sample books supported by the hooks on the other rail, andthe spacing between adjacent hooks on each rail being such that anyselected book on either rail may be removed without removing theadjacent books on the other rail by initial upward movement of theselected book toward and lateral movement of the selected booklengthwise of the respective rail to disengage its handle from therespective hook and final edgewise movement of the selected book frombetween the adjacent books.

2. In combination:

a plurality of sample books each containing samples of sheet materialand having a supporting handle -midway along its bound edge including ahand grip extending lengthwise of said edge, and a supporting framestructure having a pair of parallel support rails at the same level insaid rack, a series of uniformly spaced supporting hooks carried by eachof said rails and supporting said books, respectively, by their handles,each hook having an upper shank portion depending from the under side ofthe respective rail and a lower hook portion extending laterally of saidshank portion and lengthwise of the respective rail and then upwardlytoward the respective rail in a plane containing said shank portion andthe respective rail, each hook supporting its respective book by itshandle with said hand grip of the handle resting on the lower hookportion of the hook, whereby each book handle is engageable with anddisengageable from its hook by movement of the handle longitudinally ofthe respective rail, the hooks of each rail being staggeredlongitudinally of said rails with respect to the hooks of the otherrail, whereby the sample books supported bythe hooks on one rail areoffset both lengthwise and laterally of said rails relative to thesample books supported by the hooks on the other rail, and the spacingbetween adjacent hooks on each rail being such that any selected book oneither rail may be removed without removing the adjacent books on theother rail by initial upward movement of the selected book toward andlateral movement of the selected book lengthwise of the respective railto disengage its handle from the respective hook and final edgewisemovement of the selected book from between the adjacent books.

1. A supporting rack for supporting groups of samples of sheet materialsassembled in books, each book having a supporting handle midway alongits bound edge including a hand grip extending lengthwise of said edge,comprising in combination, a supporting frame structure having a pair ofparallel support rails at the same level in the rack, a series ofuniformly spaced supporting hooks carried by each of the said rails forsupporting said books by their handles, each hook having an upper shankportion depending from the under side of the respective rail and a lowerhook portion extending laterally of said shank portion and lengthwise ofthe respective rail and then upwardly toward the respective rail in aplane containing said shank portion and the respective rail, wherebyeach book handle is engageable with and disengageable from a hook bymovement of the handle longitudinally of the respective rail, the hooksof each rail being staggered longitudinally of said rails with respectto hooks of the other rail, whereby sample books supported by the hookson one rail are offset both lengthwise and laterally of said railsrelative to sample books supported by the hooks on the other rail, andthe spacing between adjacent hooks on each rail being such that anyselected book on either rail may be removed without removing theadjacent books on the other rail by initial upward movement of theselected book toward and lateral movement of the selected booklengthwise of the respective rail to disengage its handle from therespective hook and final edgewise movement of the selected book frombetween the adjacent books.
 2. In combination: a plurality of samplebooks each containing samples of sheet material and having a supportinghandle midway along its bound edge including a hand grip extendinglengthwise of said edge, and a supporting frame structure having a pairof parallel support rails at the sAme level in said rack, a series ofuniformly spaced supporting hooks carried by each of said rails andsupporting said books, respectively, by their handles, each hook havingan upper shank portion depending from the under side of the respectiverail and a lower hook portion extending laterally of said shank portionand lengthwise of the respective rail and then upwardly toward therespective rail in a plane containing said shank portion and therespective rail, each hook supporting its respective book by its handlewith said hand grip of the handle resting on the lower hook portion ofthe hook, whereby each book handle is engageable with and disengageablefrom its hook by movement of the handle longitudinally of the respectiverail, the hooks of each rail being staggered longitudinally of saidrails with respect to the hooks of the other rail, whereby the samplebooks supported by the hooks on one rail are offset both lengthwise andlaterally of said rails relative to the sample books supported by thehooks on the other rail, and the spacing between adjacent hooks on eachrail being such that any selected book on either rail may be removedwithout removing the adjacent books on the other rail by initial upwardmovement of the selected book toward and lateral movement of theselected book lengthwise of the respective rail to disengage its handlefrom the respective hook and final edgewise movement of the selectedbook from between the adjacent books.